Snowflakes Fall and So Did I

~CHAPTER 46~

~Elsa~

I woke up to the sound of my phone chiming away, notification after notification. Groggily, I open my sleepy eyes, wiping away the small amount of sleep sand, and check to see what all the commotion was about. The brightness of my phone made me squint, but once my vision focused I noticed that all the messages were from my friends.

Happy Birthday, Elsa! They each said followed by a few kind sentences about how much they wish I have an amazing day. Jack's message was of course the longest.

Happy Birthday, Snowflake! I can't wait to see you later today. I wish you'd allow us to actually do something for you instead of working at North's shop, but you're the birthday girl. What you say goes. Just know that for Valentine's Day, I'm going all out and you can't stop me. Anyway, I love you very much. I'm glad you're finally mine. I still can't believe it. You mean so much to me. I hope you know that. There's no one else for me. Just you. Only you. Forever you. Happy birthday, babe. I'll see you soon <3

His message was so sweet it could have given me cavities. I screenshotted it to keep forever and reread it over and over again, along with the other from my friends. The only ones who didn't send a text were my sister and cousin, and as soon as the thought crosses my mind, my door bursts open, making me jump and shriek.

"Happy Birthday, Elsa!" Cheer Rapunzel, Anna, Arianna, and Frederick, all of them in their pajamas, smiling brightly, and the first two carrying a small cake with two burning candles.

1 and 8.

My phone said it is 12 am December 21st. My birthday and also the Winter Solstice.

I am officially 18 years old. The same age as Jack, whose birthday was exactly one month ago today. I still can't believe that only a month ago I had confessed my love for him in front of everyone we care about. His family, mine, and our friends. It feels so surreal. It feels amazing. It feels...like something bad is going to happen soon and take all my happiness away.

But of course, that's just my anxiety acting up.

"Did we scare you?" Asks Anna, laughing. "That was the plan."

"And when exactly did this plan come to be?" I ask as I get out of bed to stand next to them. My uncle had flipped on the light as I did so, while Rapunzel and Anna set the cake on my dresser.

"A couple hours ago when you told us you didn't want to do anything for your birthday," Anna answers, then scoffs. "I mean, seriously, Elsa, who doesn't want to celebrate their birthday? I know you said it's because people are too busy with Christmas planning and you don't want to bother, but our friends would totally find the time for you. We've gotta do something!"

"It's just the day of my birth, Anna," I tried reasoning with her. "It's not a big deal."

She gasps, and I'm unsure if it's genuine or merely her being dramatic. "No big deal?! It's a real big deal! Today is the day the universe gave you life! I mean, after all, Christmas is just Jesus's birthday. And we celebrate it. Why? Because it's a big deal!"

I shake my head at her silliness. "I'd rather you not compare me to Jesus. But really, Anna, I'm okay not doing anything. I haven't celebrated my birthday since the accident. I'm used to doing nothing. Mother and father tried to do something for me, but I always refused."